Phoenix, Ariz.- The 2025 softball season is underway as Arizona Christian opened their season with a split against Nelson Arizona at their old stomping grounds of the Rose Mofford Sports Complex.  The mostly new look Firestorm were not quite able to find their rhythm in game one before their bats came alive in game two.  Sierra Lauko had a big day with a home run and five RBI.  Hannah Butcher earned a win in her first collegiate start.

Game Info

• Game one score: Nelson (AZ) - 7, Arizona Christian- 2
• Game two score: Arizona Christian- 9, Nelson (AZ)- 5
• Records: Arizona Christian- 1-1, Nelson (AZ)- 1-1
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian- not ranked, Benedictine-Mesa- not ranked
• Location: Rose Mofford Sports Complex, Phoenix, AZ

ACU Game One Stats

• Lauko- 1-2, RBI
• Ashley Madonia- 1-3, 2B, RBI
• Christina Grubb- 1-3, 2B 
• Jyden Miles- 1-3, 2B
• Dayna Herrera - 1-4, 3B, run

Inside Game One

• Nelson, a brand new softball program, scored two runs in their first ever at bats
• Herrera triple inside the right field line and came home on a sac fly by Lauko in the third
• The Warriors then scored five straight runs
• In the seventh, ACU capped the scoring when Madonia doubled home Lauko

ACU Game Two Stats

• Lauko- 3-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs
• Aliana Giddings- 2-3, RBI, 3 runs
• Brenna Henry- 3-5, RBI
• Miles- 3-6, run
• Herrera- 2-4, r uns, RBI
• Morgan Bradford- 2-5, 2 RBI
• Kaitlin Terzakos- 4 BB
• Butcher- complete game win

Inside Game Two

• The Warriors plated four runs in the first
• ACU's bats came to live in the third as Lauko, Bradford, and Henry all collected an RBI
• In the fourth, Lauko smashed the first home run of the season over the left field fence to give ACU their first lead
• Back-to-back RBI singles from Lauko and Bradford gave the Firestorm a 7-4 cushion in the fifth
• Giddings drove in run number eight and then scored the final ACU run of the day
• Butcher escaped a bases loaded jam giving up just one run in the sixth
• In the seventh, Butcher left two runners on to lock up the win
• ACU produced 17 hits in the day cap but only one (Lauko's HR) for extra bases

Thoughts from Coach Mayben
"Brenna had a great day defensively and at the plate in game two.  Hannah stepped up in her first collegiate game securing her first win of her career.  Jyden continues to perform at a high level and paced our offense today."

Up Next
The Firestorm will enjoy the rest of the weekend without games before hosting Carroll for their home opener on Thursday.  First pitch from the ACU Softball Field will come at 4:30 pm.